First To The Field - Selection Analysis
The waiting is nearly over people. Today, Geech announced the first Lions team to take the field in South Africa. Led by captain Paul O'Connell, the opening selection of the 2009 Lions tour includes a massive pack and an all Ospreys back three. The team announced this afternoon:
British & Irish Lions v Royal XV
15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
10. Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
9. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales) 115KG
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales) 100KG
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England) 111KG
5. Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) captain 111KG
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England) 122KG
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales) 126KG
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales) 108KG
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England) 121KG
Replacements
16. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
17. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
18. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
19. Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland)
20. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
21. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
22. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
The Lions squad selection had a particular emphasis on size and power, and it's no surprise that the trend continues in this first team. The scale of the pack is quite astonishing and while the Royal XV will undoubtedly be out to rough up the newly-arrived Lions, they'll have a job on their hands. This is a team that looks more than capable of handling itself. It's hard to get up to date stats on a players weights, but a spot of googling and a bit of addition gives a combined pack weight of something like 144st. That's a considerable statement of intent.
We can expect a solid front-row base from the experienced Sheridan and Jones, although Matthew Rees will need to throw well. Behind them, the lock pairing could be politely termed 'abrasive' - an extremely intimidating mix of brawn, athleticism and surprisingly good hands.
I think we're all agreed that the back-row battles are going to be absolutely crucial for the Lions this summer, and the back-row named to face the Royal XV is an intriguing blend with a little of everything. Andy Powell was one of the surprise calls when the squad was announced, but his powerful carrying game will be essential against the massive loose forwards in South Africa. He will need to cross the gain line and must stamp his authority on the game as quickly as possible. If Powell brings the attacking ballast, Worsley is the Lions defensive shield. An absolute tree-cutter of a flanker, the Wasps man has to try and bring a rounded performance to the Lions blindside. At this level, defensive rock isn't enough. Rounding out the back-row on the openside is Martyn Williams. The Cardiff man may stick out in recent memory for his agonising penalty shoot-out miss in the Heineken Cup final, but a more savvy British & Irish 7 you will not find. Williams is a brilliantly technical player who does so much so well. His link-play is first rate and his ability on the ground is McCawesque. Tackle, feet, rip. A good back-row is all about balance, and this looks like a unit chosen with that philosophy in mind.
The half-back pairing of O'Gara and Blair is simply tantalising. O'Gara has been lambasted in some quarters for a perceived fragility in defensive, and while he is no Wilkinson in this regard, his tactical kicking game is one of the best on the planet. Blair wasn't in the squad three weeks ago, but now finds himself lining up for Saturday. He brings a lot to the party. Used to operating behind a under-siege international pack, Blair is the thinking-man's scrum-half. His service is great and of the three Lions options, he is without a doubt the most game aware. O'Gara and Blair will be the tactical foil to the Lions forward might.
If the half-backs offer experience, the midfield is green as the grass. Between them, Keith Earls and Jamie Roberts have a grand total of 13 national caps and not a single Lions start. Once again, it's a balanced combo, and in my mind, archetypal of what quality centre pairings are all about. A powerful, hard running 12 with an off-loading game, allied to the rapier-like incision of a 13 with an eye for a gap. Earls and Roberts might be young, but they offer a potent mix. It might not be a hard call to make, but I reckon Earls will pickup a try or two.
McGeechan has made it clear that he considers blooding the new boys early as very important, and he's made some very astute decisions regarding how to do this. There's no time like the present and he's thrown nine Lions debuts into the mix. However, the team is still vastly experienced and in all areas a novice needn't look far to spot a seasoned veteran. As an Englishman, it's a refreshingly intelligent approach to team selection.
This leaves the back three - an all Osprey's affair. Throughout the team, McGeechan has mixed experience with youth and in the near-test-team combo of Byrne, Bowe and Williams, he has picked a firm foundation. Again, the mixture feels just right, a well baked cake evenly comprised of all the relevant rugby elements. Byrne will catch high-balls till the cows come home, Williams simply will finish any sniff he's given, and Bowe offers a power-running option on the right wing.
When you stand back and look at it, this is a formidable team of rugby players.
The bench is positively dripping with experience and class. The welsh trio of Mike Phillips, Alun-Wyn Jones and Stephen Jones even draws a double take - are those three really on the bench? I know it's the Lions and we should be used to a higher class, but that's quite an impact to be able to draw upon. Lee Mears can consider himself the 1st choice test hooker following Jerry Flannery's withdrawal with an elbow injury, and like the rest of the bench he'll have his fingers crossed for a run.
The Royal XV are a scratch side drawn from third tier Vodacom cup teams and the Lions should put them away. That however is a 'should' and until the end of the game it remains to be seen what will transpire. The Lions have a wealth of class that the Royal XV probably can't match, but the Lions are a scratch-side themselves at this point and despite a happy camp and quality players until they've played together a lot is still uncertain.
Come Saturday afternoon though, I'll be plonked in front of the tele and bloody excited. The talking has been great but I'm ready to watch some rugby! C'mon The Lions!!!
Tony Hart - Friday 29th May 3.16AM
© 2009 Pride Of Lions Contact Us